On a brilliant and beautiful autumn day, shortly after noon in downtown Dallas, Texas, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald. As the President's motorcade passed the Texas School Book Depository, gunshots reverberated across Dealey Plaza. JFK died less than an hour later from fatal gunshot wounds to the back of his head and neck. The following day, Oswald was arrested, then shot in the stomach and killed by Jack Ruby, a local nightclub owner and JFK fan.

Whether we belong to a tribe comprised of harried moms, college students, or even librarians, we recognize our "kindred spirits" by dress, behavior, and other things we have in common.

But have you ever wondered about secret societies? Ones where members recognize each other by a secret handshake or door knock or even a cryptic eyebrow quirk. Maybe secret societies possess ancient wisdom that they will share with the world when the time is right.

Gemma Doyle is furious with her mother. They may have the same untamed red hair and deep green eyes, but in Libba Bray’s historical novel A Great and Terrible Beauty they are completely at odds with each other. It’s Gemma’s 16th birthday, and try as she may, she is making no headway whatsoever with getting what she really wants for a present—a ticket back to Merrie Olde England where she can make her debut in society and meet some nice, eligible young men. But her mother won’t budge. Gemma’s to stay with her parents in India. And then something terrible happens. She gets her wish… at a horrifying cost.